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This Life Changing Journey: With Fall Comes Renewal

As the seasons shift from summer to fall, Rev. Danita R. Anderson reminds us that this time of change is also an invitation to renew our commitment to faith and community. Just as churches once marked the season with homecomings and rally days, today we can embrace new opportunities for involvement and participation. She shares that members of the conference staff, including herself, will be present in congregations this fall—not to judge, but to worship together and celebrate a season of renewed hope.

Leading the Laity : Jesus Loves the Little Children

Eugene Williams calls us to pray for a safe, nurturing school year where children are free from violence, hunger, and trauma. He reminds us that despite cultural differences, we share more in common than what divides us—especially the love and grace of Christ. As we lift our children in continuous prayer, Williams urges us to embrace diversity and embody Jesus’ welcome to all God’s precious little ones.

Reimagining Church: When Cleanliness Might be Godliness

Rev. Christian Coon reflects on witnessing a young man in a Chicago train station pause to clean up his spilled coffee—an ordinary but inspiring act of care in a messy world. He connects this small gesture to the call of faith: continuing to serve, heal, and bring hope even when society feels broken or efforts seem small. Like that man with his napkins, Christians are invited to do their part each day to make the world more hopeful and grace-filled.

Churches Are Faithfully Supporting the Shared Budget

As fall activities begin, churches are entering their busiest financial season with stewardship campaigns, charge conferences, and budget planning. The Northern Illinois Conference celebrates an encouraging increase in apportionment giving compared to last year and hopes to reach 85% by year’s end. To support local finance committees, NIC is providing updated 2026 figures, stewardship resources, and a series of helpful webinars and recorded trainings.

Shepherding Teams Learn Basic Intercultural Communication

At their Aug. 16 meeting in Schaumburg, Annual Conference and District Shepherding Team members explored how to build cross-cultural relationships through intentional listening and honest conversation. Led by Julie Boleyn of the Kaleidoscope Institute, the group practiced tools such as RESPECT guidelines, Mutual Invitation, and creating a “Grace Margin” to foster empathy and avoid patronizing approaches in ministry. Participants left with new insights on guiding churches toward healthier, more inclusive relationships across race and culture.

'A Binding Truth' Screenings

Collective Action to Build Community, a partnership of NIC with other organizations, has planned free screenings of the film "A Binding Truth," Sept. 10-16. It follows the intertwined stories of two high-school classmates and the hidden connections that bind them with each other and reflect the nation’s history.

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